Atlantic County Grand Jury Returns Indictment Against 33-Year Old Stratford Man

On September 10, 2019, an Atlantic County Grand Jury handed up an indictment against a 33 year-old Stratford man for Theft by Deception and Official Misconduct offenses, Atlantic County Prosecutor Damon G. Tyner announced.

On or about March 14, 2017, Michael Gibbons, who served as Deputy Chief of the Atlantic County Superintendent of Elections, committed the offense of Theft by Deception and Official Misconduct by purposely obtaining property belonging to Atlantic County and specifically by adding non-worked overtime hours to an employees’ time card reports in order for the individual to receive additional money in their paycheck.

On two of these occasions, Gibbons then solicited the money back from the employee for his personal use. Additionally, as a public servant, Gibbons used public money to pay two employees to clean out his mother’s attic. These acts by Gibbons are in excess of $500 and crimes of the second and third degree.

Gibbons is indicted on the following charges:

• 2 counts of third degree Theft by Deception
• 1 count of fourth degree Theft by Deception
• 3 counts of second degree Official Misconduct
• 1 count second degree Pattern of Official Misconduct

The investigation is being handled by the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office Official Corruption Unit. Chief Assistant Prosecutor John Flammer represents the state in this matter.

These charges are merely an accusation and not proof of guilt. In all criminal cases, a charged defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.